config: record learning M230 - all task work in worktree

Root cause: Workflow allowed parent STATE.md rollup updates to happen in
main workspace after merge, causing separate commits requiring manual squash.

Prevention: Updated work.md workflow to require parent STATE.md updates
happen IN THE WORKTREE before merge/cleanup. Step 15 now precedes step 16
and includes explicit git commit --amend instruction.

Correct behavior: All task-related changes (implementation + task STATE.md +
parent STATE.md rollup) complete IN THE WORKTREE before merge.

Author: cowwoc

.claude/cat/retrospectives/mistakes.json

@@ -3010,6 +3010,33 @@
         "catches_variations": true
       },
       "correct_behavior": "Squash all related commits (implementation + STATE.md updates) into a single commit BEFORE presenting the approval gate to user"
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "M230",
+      "timestamp": "2026-01-24T13:00:00Z",
+      "category": "protocol_violation",
+      "description": "Made plugin changes directly in main workspace instead of task worktree, causing separate commits that required manual squashing",
+      "root_cause": "Workflow allowed parent STATE.md rollup updates to happen in main workspace after merge, instead of requiring all changes happen in worktree before merge",
+      "rca_method": "A",
+      "rca_method_name": "5-whys",
+      "prevention_type": "skill",
+      "prevention_path": "${CLAUDE_PROJECT_DIR}/plugin/.claude/cat/workflows/work.md",
+      "pattern_keywords": [
+        "worktree",
+        "workspace",
+        "squash",
+        "STATE.md",
+        "merge"
+      ],
+      "prevention_implemented": true,
+      "prevention_verified": false,
+      "recurrence_of": null,
+      "prevention_quality": {
+        "verification_type": "positive",
+        "fragility": "low",
+        "catches_variations": true
+      },
+      "correct_behavior": "Complete ALL task-related changes (implementation + task STATE.md + parent STATE.md rollup) IN THE WORKTREE before merge, ensuring single squashed commit"
     }
   ]
 }

.claude/cat/retrospectives/retrospectives.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "last_retrospective": "2026-01-23T19:15:39-05:00",
-  "mistake_count_since_last": 1,
+  "mistake_count_since_last": 2,
   "config": {
     "mistake_count_threshold": 10,
     "trigger_interval_days": 7

plugin/.claude/cat/workflows/work.md

@@ -628,30 +628,27 @@ git push . "HEAD:${BASE_BRANCH}"
 
 **Anti-pattern (M070):** Committing STATE.md update as separate "planning:" commit after merge.
 
-### 15. Cleanup
+### 15. Update Parent State (Rollup Only) - IN WORKTREE
 
 **Batched into Finalization subagent** - see Subagent Batching Standards above
 
-```bash
-# MANDATORY: Return to main workspace before removing worktree
-cd /workspace
-pwd  # Verify we're in main workspace (not worktree)
+**CRITICAL (M230): Parent STATE.md updates MUST happen IN THE WORKTREE before merge.**
 
-# Task worktree and branch (subagent already cleaned in step 10)
-git worktree remove ../cat-worktree-{task-name}
-git branch -d {task-branch}
-```
+All related changes (implementation + task STATE.md + parent STATE.md rollup) must be committed
+together in the worktree. This ensures a single squashed commit contains all task-related updates.
 
-### 16. Update Parent State (Rollup Only)
+**Still in task worktree** (NOT main workspace):
 
-**Batched into Finalization subagent** - see Subagent Batching Standards above
-
-**NOTE**: Minor version CHANGELOG.md was already updated in step 13 with the implementation commit.
+```bash
+pwd  # Verify still in worktree: .worktrees/{task-branch}
+```
 
-This step handles only:
+This step handles:
 1. Parent STATE.md progress rollup (minor/major)
 2. Major version CHANGELOG.md (if minor version completes)
 
+**NOTE**: Minor version CHANGELOG.md was already updated in step 13 with the implementation commit.
+
 **MANDATORY: Validate Before Marking Minor Version Complete (M150)**
 
 Before setting a minor version's STATE.md to `status: completed`, verify all nested tasks are complete:
@@ -708,6 +705,32 @@ If CHANGELOG.md doesn't exist yet, create it using the template format with:
 - Empty Tasks Completed table with correct column order
 - Placeholder sections
 
+**Commit parent STATE.md updates in worktree:**
+
+```bash
+# Still in worktree - include parent STATE.md in the squashed commit
+git add .claude/cat/issues/v${MAJOR}/STATE.md
+git add .claude/cat/issues/v${MAJOR}/v${MAJOR}.${MINOR}/STATE.md
+git commit --amend --no-edit  # Include in the same commit as implementation
+```
+
+**Anti-pattern (M230):** Updating parent STATE.md AFTER merge in main workspace. This creates a
+separate commit that requires manual squashing.
+
+### 16. Cleanup
+
+**Batched into Finalization subagent** - see Subagent Batching Standards above
+
+```bash
+# MANDATORY: Return to main workspace before removing worktree
+cd /workspace
+pwd  # Verify we're in main workspace (not worktree)
+
+# Task worktree and branch (subagent already cleaned in step 10)
+git worktree remove ../cat-worktree-{task-name}
+git branch -d {task-branch}
+```
+
 ## Error Recovery
 
 ### Subagent Failure